THE PRESIDENT: I want to thank members from both political parties
for coming down here today to discuss the energy bill that's in
conference. I really do appreciate the commitment of all the parties
here at the table to work together to get an energy bill on behalf of
the American people; a comprehensive energy plan that will address
supply and conservation, help us modernize our electricity grid.

It's a compelling issue, and there was a good spirit here.
Obviously, there's not 100-percent agreement, but there is agreement
that we need to get something done. And I want to thank the members.
I want to thank the Chairman and the ranking members for taking time to
come.

And I'm pleased with the commitment by Senator Domenici and
Congressman Tauzin to see if they can't get a bill down here by
mid-October -- I believe is what he told me -- Billy -- and to my
desk. And we look forward to working with them. I think the American
people are -- know we need to have a national energy policy. And it's
a chance to get it done, into law.

So thanks for coming. I'll answer a couple of questions. Terry,
do you want to start?

Q Mr. President, how is the administration recasting the
proposed U.N. resolution on Iraq to meet the objections of some
countries?

THE PRESIDENT: We're still talking about it, Terry. I mean, we
are -- had some discussions this morning on it. The key is to make
sure that the political situation in Iraq evolves in a way that will
lead to a free and -- a free society. The Iraqis need to develop a
constitution and then have free elections. Then we can -- and then we
deal with the sovereignty issue. And so, therefore, we're talking
amongst ourselves.

King.

Q Mr. President, Dr. Rice and Secretary Rumsfeld both said
yesterday that they have seen no evidence that Iraq had anything to do
with September 11th. Yet, on Meet the Press, Sunday, the Vice
President said Iraq was a geographic base for the terrorists and he
also said, I don't know, or we don't know, when asked if there was any
involvement. Your critics say that this is some effort -- deliberate
effort to blur the line and confuse people. How would you answer
that?

THE PRESIDENT: We've had no evidence that Saddam Hussein was
involved with the September 11th. What the Vice President said was, is
that he has been involved with al Qaeda. And al Zarqawi, al Qaeda
operative, was in Baghdad. He's the guy that ordered the killing of a
U.S. diplomat. He's a man who is still running loose, involved with
the poisons network, involved with Ansar al-Islam. There's no question
that Saddam Hussein had al Qaeda ties.

Karen, Reuters.

Q Thank you, Mr. President.

THE PRESIDENT: Step forth and speak.

Q I know that the ANWR drilling provision is very important to
you, but are you willing to sacrifice it to get a broader bill?

THE PRESIDENT: One thing I've learned, Karen, is not to negotiate
with myself, particularly in front of cameras. The conferees will work
as hard as they can to come up with a good bill that can pass both
bodies. And we look forward to working with them. I think it's very
important for our country to recognize that we need to become less
dependent on foreign sources of crude, and, therefore, find ways to do
that. We had a good discussion. That's certainly a contentious issue,
and you'll find strong opinions around the table about this. The job
of the conferees is to work through these issues, and we look forward
to helping them.

Yes, final question.

Q Mr. President, how do you respond --

THE PRESIDENT: Identify yourself, please.

Q Pam Fessler, NPR.

THE PRESIDENT: Oh, Pam, of course -- how do I respond?

Q How do you respond to criticism that you are asking for $20
billion in aid to reconstruct Iraq at a time when a lot of domestic
work, such as the No Child Left Behind and the Help America Vote Act
are not being fully funded?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I will start by responding this way: The No
Child Left Behind funding is the largest increase in elementary and
secondary school funding in a long time. And the Title I part of the
Elementary and Secondary School Act funding is a large increase, as
well -- historic increases.

Secondly, that it is vital that we succeed in Iraq, that a free
Iraq will make America more secure. A free Iraq will change the
dynamics of the Middle East, which will be important for peace. And I
appreciate the support of Congress and the understanding of Congress
that we will succeed in Iraq. And so the $20 billion is to help
rehabilitate that country, so that the people of that country can live
a free and hopeful life.